Sydney Kitching HADLEY

08 June 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels:–

Pte. S. K. Hadley, of the Canadians, writes:– “1t is comforting to think that although I have been away from the village for the past four years I am still remembered just the same, as the remainder of the boys. I was sorry to hear that more of the boys had made the supreme sacrifice, it certainly is terrible, but Fritz is as they say over here ‘out of luck,’ and everybody is expecting to see the finish of this awful war in the near future. Up to the present I have failed to find any of the boys, but still I keep up a steady correspondence with most of them.”

22 June 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:–

Pte. Harry Hudson, of the Cameron Highlanders, writes:– “Thanks for parcel. I had no idea there were so many of the boys from the village who had paid the supreme sacrifice until I saw the paper. I was sorry to hear that Harry Town and Philip Brown had died of wounds. I received your parcel in the trenches, where I am writing this letter, and as soon as old Fritz had quietened down with his shelling I went over to the river and got water, boiled it, and made some good tea which the gun team enjoyed very much. Our artillery has a very hot time of it now, and machine guns too. I have been within half an hour’s walk of Syd. Hadley, but sorry to say I didn’t know until it was too late.”

27 July 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:–

Writing from Netley Hospital, Pte. L. Whitaker, of the Cameron Highlanders, says:– “Thanks for the letter. I expect by the time I get home there will be hardly anyone left to talk to. I was sorry to hear about Abe Stapleton losing his hand. If you could only see some of the chaps out here you would be rather a bit surprised. The chap in the next bed to me has his left leg and right arm missing – rather hard luck. I had another operation with my arm a few days ago and expected to see it minus when I came round, as they had intended taking it off. But to my surprise it is going on splendidly, and I hope to be able to see you before too long, as I am improving very fast, although I am still in bed. Well, I hope Stapleton keeps his head well under. I have had a letter from Hudson and Sid. Hadley, and they are both in good health.

28 September 1917

ADDINGHAM MEN WOUNDED

Mr. S.C. Hadley has received a letter from his son, Pte. Sydney Hadley, of the Canadians, to say he has been wounded in the face, sprinkled with shrapnel, but the wounds are not deep, and the doctor was able to get his instruments to work and pick the pieces out with the exception of one. The X-rays were put on, but it is under the eye. It was in such a dangerous place they thought it best to leave it, and it is still there.

In a further letter from a convalescent camp at Boulogne, he says:– “It is awfully nice to be here, even if it is only for a short time. It gives one a rest and is a pleasant break from trench life. I am sorry I cannot make Blighty this time, as I expect to be with the battalion in a few days.”

Pte. Hadley, who is 21 years old, joined the army at Ontario in February, 1916, and was in training for some time at Borden Camp, Canada. He came to England in December, 1916, to finish his training, when he paid a visit to his home.

19 October 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Atack has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:–

Private S. K. Hadley, of the Canadians, writes from No. 7 Canadian General Hospital:– “Many thanks for your registered letter. What makes the gifts more appreciated is that although I have been away from the village for the past four years I am still remembered as one of the boys. I am pleased to say I am improving, my wounds having practically all healed. I underwent one operation a little while ago, and yesterday I was under X-rays again, but I don’t know whether I shall have to undergo another operation. I am pleased to hear that they made Mr. Flint a presentation. He has worked hard for the boys. I am pleased to hear that you have been appointed in his place, and I hope you are blest with the health and strength to enable you to carry on the arduous task which confronts you.”

26 October 1917

HADLEY – Oct. 18th, at No. 7 Canadian Hospital, Etaples, France, Pte. S.K. Hadley, son of Mr. S.C. Hadley, of Addingham, aged 22.

26 October 1917

ADDINGHAM

DEATH OF PTE. S. K. HADLEY

We regret to announce the death of Pte. S.K. Hadley, on Oct. 18th, at No 7 Canadian Hospital, Etaples, France. Deceased was the son of Mr. S.C. Hadley, stationmaster of Addingham, and the news is all the more distressing from the fact that only a few days ago he had written home saying that he was progressing favourably, and expected to be in England in a few days. His death was the result of shrapnel wounds in the face. Pte. Hadley, who was in Ontario, Canada, at the outbreak of war, joined up in February, 1916, after being rejected several times.

Rev. F. Pennington, Church of England chaplain, wrote, at his dictation, on Oct. 17th:– “Dear Father, – I thank you for the letters which I have received safely, but have not felt like answering myself. I don’t feel very good, so can’t say very much, my head aches all the time. I hope you are all well at home and that you will write again soon.”

Writing to Mr. Hadley, the chaplain says:– “I want to write you a note saying how I sympathise with you in the loss of your son. He got worse on Thursday and passed quietly away at 10-55 that night. Everything medical skill and care could do was done, but all to no avail. Your boy has died having done his duty, and will meet a due reward in the beyond.”

Previous to going out to Canada, Pte. Hadley was employed at the Bolton Abbey Estate Office under Mr. Downs. He was a very promising young man, and the sympathy of all will go out to Mr. Hadley in his sad bereavement. Deceased was 22 years of age.

16 November 1917

ADDINGHAM

MEMORIAL SERVICE – A special memorial service was held at the Parish Church on Sunday evening last in memory of the late Pte. Tom Ashton and Pte. S. K. Hadley, who laid down their lives for King and country in France. The rector (Rev. J. W. Hall) preached a very impressive sermon from the text “Greater love bath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” He spoke of their association with the life of the village, and of Pte. Ashton’s association with the church, serving in the choir and also as bell ringer. Mr. West, of Bingley, presided at the organ, and before the services played ‘O rest in the Lord.’ The hymns snag were ‘On the resurrection morn,’ ‘For ever with the Lord,’ ‘Brief life is here our portion,' and ‘Eternal Father, strong to save.’ The ‘Dead march’ in ‘Saul’ was played at the conclusion of the service. There was a large congregation.

05 July 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR

Addingham Casualties

We regret to report the following casualties amongst Addingham men:– Pte. James Hadley, youngest son of Mr. S.C. Hadley, stationmaster, writes to say he has been wounded in the right buttock and hoped soon to be in Blighty. Pte. Hadley is 19 years of age, and went to the front on Easter Monday. His only brother, Sydney, died from wounds some time ago.